In New Zealand, the government has decided to put in place an action plan against climate change. In recent weeks, several reports have sounded the alarm about rising sea levels. A phenomenon that is happening much earlier than expected for this Pacific archipelago.
With our correspondent in Wellington, Richard Tindiller
In New Zealand, one in seven people live in a potentially flood-prone area. On the south coast of Wellington, the inhabitants of Owhiro Bay, who live facing the sea, frequently experience flooding due to high tides.
It is therefore here that James Shaw, the Minister for Climate Change in New Zealand, announced to the press the key measures of this plan: “ There is a lot of work to be done for the country. It’s not just about reducing our CO2 emissions. One of the important points of this adaptation plan will also be to become, in the near future, more directive on the location of house constructions. »
So what to do with the 70,000 homes across the country, exposed to the risk of rising waters? The government will offer aid to residents to move or raise their houses on stilts.
►Also read: New Zealand sea levels are rising faster than expected, study warns
An abstract plan for the inhabitants
But for Eugene Doyle, a resident of this at-risk area of Wellington, this plan still remains abstract. ” I don’t think we have to go up the hills, he said. We protect what can be protected and we keep communities together. It’s still a long-term plan. But show us the funds and tell us how we’re going to do it, now ! »
An island country, New Zealand has largely built along the coasts, housing at risk which represents a total value of 600 million euros. Despite these efforts and this action plan, New Zealand will inevitably see sea levels rise by 30 centimeters by 2060.